Missouri players keep mood light at NCAA Tournament

Missouri freshman Kim English, left, takes on the role of reporter and interviews teammate J.T. Tiller, right, on Friday as the team prepares to face Connecticut in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament on Saturday in Glendale, Ariz. The interview was for mutigers.com, the Missouri athletic Web site, and English asked some serious and not-so-serious questions of his teammates.¦ KEVIN A. ROBERTS/Missourian

MU's Zaire Taylor talks to fans and signs autographs at the Mizzou Arena on Sunday after the team arrived back in Columbia.

Ross Steelman, left, and Mathew Rothermich play basketball outside the Mizzou Arena. Their parents, like many Mizzou fans, were present to welcome back the basketball team after its successful stint at the NCAA tournament.

MU men's basketball team head coach Mike Anderson speaks with the media at the Mizzou Arena on Sunday. A reception was held at the Arena to welcome the team home.

Mizzou basketball fans wait outside Mizzou Arena on Sunday to greet the team as they arrived back from Glendale, Ariz., and its trip to the NCAA tournament.

J.T. Tiller is welcomed home by fans as he gets off the team bus Sunday afternoon.

Mizzou fans cheer and take pictures as the MU men's basketball team arrives outside the Mizzou Arena from Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday.

MU's Kim English signs autographs for fans outside Mizzou Arena on Sunday after the team arrived back in Columbia. Mizzou fans gathered to welcome back the team after its trip to the Elite 8 in the NCAA tournament.

Missouri players, from left to right, Zaire Taylor, DeMarre Carroll, Matt Lawrence, J.T. Tiller and coach Mike Anderson field questions during media day on Friday at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. "We have a lot of unselfish guys that are making plays for others," Lyons said about why Missouri has been successful.

In the locker room before practice, players were grumbling that they wanted some food, which wouldn't be provided for them until after practice.

After being told there were crackers and popcorn in the media dining area, a few players sneaked out of the locker room and filled cardboard cups with the snacks.

Freshman forward Laurence Bowers drew "Mizzou" and "31-6" in big brown bubble letters on a dry erase board in the locker room. As he worked, freshman guard Miguel Paul hid behind the board, peaking out to rub his finger through the words whenever Bowers looked away.

"Don't mess with my masterpiece," Bowers said.

When he finished the design, Bowers double-checked his work with assistant coach Matt Zimmerman, asking if the team really was 31-6. A look of satisfaction spread across his face when Zimmerman confirmed that he had the correct record.

Meanwhile, freshman Kim English was hard at work. Not watching film or reading scouting reports, but interviewing his teammates.

English borrowed a microphone and a camera and went into the small rooms where teammates J.T. Tiller, DeMarre Carroll and Matt Lawrence were individually addressing the media.

Playing the part of a serious journalist, English asked his questions in a professional tone.

He asked Carroll about how shaking his long braided hair fires up his teammates. Once Carroll had answered, English was ready with a followup.

"Can you shake your dreads for me?"

Carroll gave in, shaking his head back and forth and letting out a mild yell and a laugh.

English was equally serious when he addressed Tiller.

"It's well-known that Kim English is the best looking player on the Missouri team. Where do you think you rank?" English asked, somehow maintaining his serious tone.

"I'm always No. 1," Tiller replied. Once Tiller answered, English lost it, laughing as a big smile spread across his face.

The silly tone surrounds the players away from the court as they enjoy the final games of their improbable season.

But don't think the silliness means the Tigers aren't taking the tournament seriously.

After beating Memphis on Thursday night, Missouri players refused to boast about their accomplishments. They were already focused on the Huskies.

"I don't think we are stopping there yet," Carroll said, when asked if beating Memphis was the biggest win in Missouri history. "We are going to enjoy it until midnight like Coach said and get ready for UConn because that could be our next biggest victory."

Comments

I like to hear that the guys are keeping a good attitude and sense of humor during the tournament. Definitely a great way to keep their minds off the pressure, and to not psyche themselves out. Sounds like these men have a good future within the next few days. I'm excited.